Surge Protectors

Do you use them?
If so, what do have plugged into a surge protector?
Just about anything I don't want to have to pay to repair or replace is plugged into one at my house. I think they've helped over the years.
All electronics, the refrigerator, my washer, and anything else with a computer chip.
Most recently I bought a new HVAC system ($$$$) and I had my installers plug it into one and then into my house's wiring.

computers

I have a whole house surge protector installed in my electrical panel and use individual surge protectors for most gadgets.

Yes!

Yes. Office supply stores used to have freebate offers on surge protectors, so I've bought several of them and installed them around the house. I should probably install a better one for my computer, but I never seem to get around to researching what to buy.

r2 --
A few questions about your whole house surge protector, OK?
Did you put it on yourself or use an electrician? Where did you get it?
If you have a whole house surge protector installed, why do you need smaller ones at individual gadgets?
Thanks!

OP

I rent my apartment, so I don't need to worry about protecting the fridge or stove from surges. Is that even an issue, aside from super-fancy models?
But my tv, computer, printer, etc. are all on a surge protector.
As is my bedroom alarm clock. Not because I'm particularly worried about it, but I figured I may as well use the surge protector instead of throwing it in the closet. ;)

I bumped up from a computer/TV surge protector to one that has a 20-minute battery backup.
When the juice has gone out, the battery has given me time to save whatever I'm working on and power down. And if it's just a power flicker of a few seconds, I don't even notice it.

I have one of those as well, r7. Entirely worth the $$.

Anyone whose house might be struck by lighting, high ground, in the country, should have everything protected.
Happened to a family member and they lost thousands of dollars worth of equipment. Worst was losing their well -- blew out the pump. Had to dig a new one for big bucks. No tap water for weeks.
Homeowners' insurance finally paid, but it was a bitch fighting with them. (What else is new.)

Remember to replace them if you see the indicator light or power light flickering. Surge protectors burn out if struck by a large enough surge.

R10 -- How do you know for sure it is the surge protector that's failing if the indicator light flickers?
Is it possible just the indicator lamp itself is failing?

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzZZZZZZZZZZZZZZTTTT!

Free electricity, R12!
Here, use this outlet and these dinner knives … all the electricity you can dig out of there is YOURS to keep!

I use one for my "back massager."

R5, I don't do anything with electrical so I had an electrician provide and install it. I used an Angie's List deal and saved about 40% (after calling around to check prices).
Regarding why it's still good to use smaller surge protectors, I'd recommending just standard googling on the subject. I did some research at the time, did what made sense, but again I don't deal with electrical so it's not data that remains top of mind for me. Sorry!

R11, a flickering power light is very unlikely to be caused by a faulty LED, it almost always indicates a burnt-out surge protector. Better to be safe and buy a replacement (preferably one with an actual indicator LED that shows the status).

R15, the reason you still need power strip protectors if you use a whole-house surge protector is that the whole-house unit clamps voltages at a higher level to better contain large spikes that come over the main power line from outside your house. Unfortunately, that means that it lets through smaller surges.
Also, many things inside your house regularly cause smaller surges (refrigerators, HVAC units, any electric motors, etc.) that can damage your electronic equipment over time. Those aren't blocked by a whole-house unit.

I don't even know what one is.

Wow, very informative, R17, thank you very much!

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I read that they're bullshit and the only reason the manufacturer's offer the $1 million "insurance" is because they know how incredibly rare it is for a home to be struck by lightning.

R20:
If you've ever had lightning strike the transformer pole outside your house, causing everything electrical in your house to be fried, you wouldn't think it was extremely rare.
There are hundreds of thousands of lightning strikes in North American every 24 hours.
Some regions are more lightning prone than others. Florida for one gets a more than than the average share.
You would be glad that there was an insurance product that you could buy to protect yourself from this "rare" occurrence.
Peace of mind that you won't be out a lot of money for replacement appliances and electronics is worth it to some, usually folks who have been through the rigamarole before.
But not all surge protectors offer the insurance feature. These are usually cheaper.

1) A surge protector with a clamping voltage of 400 volts or 330 volts will give you the best protection.
2)Second, consider the response time (also called the clamping response time)Most surge protectors have a response time of a few nanoseconds (billionths of a second). That's pretty fast. But if you want better protection, go with a surge protector that has a response time of a few picoseconds (trillionths of a second).
3)Energy absorption and dissipation rating of the surge protector. This is the amount of energy, measured in joules. Look for a protector with a minimum rating of 300 to 400 joules. A rating of 600 joules or higher will give you better protection.